Tricia Dietz

Can you tell us a bit about your job responsibilities?

As Assistant Commissioner of Housing Incentives at NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) in the Office of Development, I oversee Inclusionary Housing, HPD’s tax incentive programs , and the Tax Credit team. While the role is strategic in nature, I'm involved in many  day-to-day details of program administration, policy development and team management.

Please describe why you chose NYU Wagner for graduate school?

Going to NYU Wagner was a big shift for me. While I studied urban planning in college, before starting at Wagner I was working in business and world trade. I was drawn to Wagner because it offered this incredible opportunity to work in New York City and connect with urban planning professionals while shifting careers. What I particularly appreciated once in the program was how many connections there were simply through adjunct professors and people brought in for any of the number of events put on by NYU Wagner.

What is some advice you would give to students?

One of the great things taught in Wagner’s Urban Planning program is that everything is related. In one sense, this refers to how our urban systems are interconnected and underlines how important it is to think holistically about problems. In another sense, as a graduate student and professional, you never know how different people and experiences will help you down the road. Willingness to be open to new opportunities helps unlock future exposure, better understanding of issues and often new mentors to appreciate it. Go to Wagner events, meet new people, take that internship or part-time job, and you’ll get so much out of it. I have found it's a very small world and the connections you make at Wagner are incredibly valuable.